Iranian Firefighter Killed Saving Demonstrator in Mashhad Honored

During a pro-democracy demonstration in Mashhad on Jan. 8, Iranian Firefighter Hamid Mahdavi was carrying an injured person to safety on his back when he was shot and killed by Islamic Republic security forces.

Mashhad, who was off-duty at the time, had evacuated nine others out of harm's way before he was shot in the throat.

"He was 38 and I learned an outgoing individual, very full of life and a very dedicated. His story really choked me up,"  Azarang 'Ozzie' Mirkhah, who immigrated to the United States when he was 17, told Firehouse.com.

Mirkhah, a  fire protection engineer who retired from the Las Vegas Fire Department, said he thought Mahdavi deserved to be recognized for giving the ultimate sacrifice. And, he set out on a mission to do just that.

"This story is about the dedication of the firefighters all around the world that does not have any boundaries or borders. They're all from the same cloth. We are all dedicated to our communities and we put our lives online to to save people...When the moment calls, you don't choke, you do the same exact thing that Hamid did."

Mirkhah, a resident of Chesterfield County, VA, reached out to Fire Chief Edward 'Loy' Senter Jr. about planting a tree in Mashhad's honor.

Senter, the past president of the Metro Fire Chiefs Association, said during his travels abroad, he quickly learned "that firefighters all share the same DNA regardless of national origin."

Senter said when Mirkhah reached out about a memorial to honor the Iranian firefighter he was honored to help. 

"We found a spot right next to one of our our mayday firefighter down simulators at the public safety training center."

"From our newest recruit firefighters to our veteran firefighters who come here to train and perfect their skills, Hamid’s selfless acts will serve as a reminder of the courage, sacrifice, trust, and spirit that are necessary to serve any community around the world. The positioning of this memorial will also allow future growth in recognizing the sacrifices of other firefighters from far-away places as an inspiration to us all."

The recruits in the training academy as well as their instructors attended the brief ceremony Tuesday morning.

"I think it just sends a good message to the recruits the reason we're here and the selfless service that we're expected to provide to our communities, and the sobering responsibilities that come with that."

The service included a bagpiper as well as a member of the honor guard who rang a bell 5-5-5.

Mirkhah explained: "The tree that was planted -- a Cypress -- is special in the Persian culture. The evergreen stands "straight and tall, towards the heavens; that symbolizes perseverance, resilience, not bowing down to pressures, and liberties. These symbols, are indeed a great reflection and description of the valor, displayed by Firefighter Hamid Mahadavi."